So our third night in Rio has fast approached us, and I have a feeling the next 2 weeks are going to absolutely fly by. Arrived on Monday evening to 23 degree heat and a real wake up call to no one speaking english! Had the most fantastic taxi journey from the airport to the Hostel by a guy who only spoke portugese and watched brazilian soaps as he was driving along- most often with no hands on the wheel! But he was still fantastic and got us right outside our hostel by nearly breaking his car!

Our first experience of a south American hostel did not go down particularly well, the staff were not the friendliest bunch and it was so quiet I thought we assumed we were the only ones in the place.

Our next 2 nights have been spent in Ipanema, in a lovely hostel that is full of people and has loads planned everyday/night without ripping us off or feeling like we have to follow the hosts round all the time. Spent last night in a Brazilian Samba dancing club, our dancing didnt quite have the same effect on the males as some of the local women did but we had fun trying, and met a large number of fellow travellers who all were willing to give us tips on what to do whilst we are here in Rio!

Spent the past two days relaxing on the beach in the shadow of Sugar Loaf mountain on Ipanema beach... the place is fantastic and all the locals have been really friendly, Grace and I both managed to get frazzled on the first day, so careful application of suncream is top of my list- I dont think my face can get any redder!

Planning to go to Christ the Redeemer, and sugar loaf mountain maybe tomorrow- will let you know how that all goes.

Chow, Chow...